WELCOME, N.C. – Richard Petty Motorsports and the United States Air Force will once again join forces for the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series season.

For the 12th consecutive season, the U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service will continue the agreement to Richard Petty Motorsports’ No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE driven by Bubba Wallace in the NASCAR Cup Series.

As part of the partnership, the U.S. Air Force will also continue its U.S. Air Force Academy summer internship for Cadets to apply their developing knowledge of engineering, business, and leadership in a live lab setting as well as the fast-paced and demanding at-track environment of NASCAR.

“The U.S. Air Force is excited to continue its partnership with Richard Petty Motorsports. The partnership provides a strategic platform to generate public awareness about the U.S. Air Force’s core values and mission,” Major Ross McKnight, Chief, Air Force National Events Branch at Air Force Recruiting Service, said. “It showcases the similarities between the U.S. Air Force and NASCAR, which include strong teamwork, technology, engineering, and speed. It also shows how young Americans can turn their hobbies and interests into a career in the U.S. Air Force.”

The partnership with Richard Petty Motorsports and the U.S. Air Force will commence for the first time at the Daytona Int’l Speedway for the Daytona 500. The No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE will again display the iconic teeth of the A-10 Warthog for the second consecutive year. The special U.S. Air Force Warthog scheme debuted at Daytona Int’l Speedway last year.

“I have really enjoyed our partnership with the U. S. Air Force,” Wallace said. “It is incredible what they do each and every day, around the world to protect our country. I am proud to do my part in assisting in the mission to inspire and recruit the best and brightest Airmen.

“To have this partnership include the Daytona 500 this year is awesome.” The 26-year old said. “Not to mention the “Warthog” is my favorite paint scheme. It is awesome.”

As a primary partner, the No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE will feature the Warthog paint scheme at the Daytona International Speedway and at Kansas Speedway on May 31. The U.S. Air Force will remain an associate partner on the No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE for the entirety of theNASCAR Cup Series season.

Wallace typically enters the infield of the Daytona Int’l Speedway through the turn four or turn one tunnel. This year, his entrance will come through a different route as the U.S. Air Force will deliver Wallace to his third full-time season in the NASCAR Cup series. Wallace will tandem jump with U.S. Air Force Academy Wings of Blue on Feb. 13, into the legendary infield of Daytona Int’l Speedway from a jumping height of 10,000 feet.